Driving licence

[Football2023]

hi I was wondering if any that hax been diagnosed with AF has told the DVLA and what if any outcome there was from it ?

do you need to tell car insurance provider aswell?

Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

It is a requirement that you tell DVLA and of course your insurance company but "driving may continue unless the AF distracts or incapacitates" in which case you MUST NOT DRIVE. Qeusstion 1 on form H1 is "has you doctor told you not to drive," and if NO, after which most questions are irrelevant. Always best to tick all the boxes for sels protection though.

[Football2023 in reply to BobD]

thanks for your response doctor or consultant hasn’t even mentioned driving I not in permanent afib and on a low dose of flecanide and bisoprolol

[richard_jw in reply to BobD]

Looking at the DVLA site, you don't need to tell DVLA unless it affects your ability to drive unless you are an HGV driver

[Buzby62]

gov.uk/arrhythmia-and-driving

[Blimeyohriley]

I informed both DVLA and my insurance company (no medic has advised me not to drive - it’s not even been mentioned but I wanted to be on the safe side), both were fine. My insurance company said it didn’t affect my policy. As long as I’d informed DVLA they were ok.

[Heartening]

I was under the impression that you only have to tell DVLA if your driving is affected by your condition. Atrial Fibrillation is not listed in DVLA’s A-Z of conditions that you need to inform them of. Arrhythmia is listed but again if you click on the link it says to inform them only if your driving could be affected. Maybe I have misunderstood this? Would be good to know what others think.

[JudiHalf in reply to Heartening]

I haven’t informed DVLA or insurance company that I have PAF, I will though when I have my pacemaker fitted as that is definitely required.

[TopBiscuit in reply to Heartening]

I've just gone through the DVLA site section on reporting medical conditions and, to be honest, it's clear as mud. The condition isn't listed, under 'cardiac conditions' it says no need to report it unless it affects your ability to drive (and you're not a lorry or coach driver) but if you go through the online check and name the condition it will come up with a form to complete for AFib. Personally I'm going with the 'no need to report' route because it doesn't affect my ability to drive.

[Mugsy15 in reply to Heartening]

You have it correct. Nothing to see here, move along!

[john-boy-92]

Agree with all the above. Some medications may cause blurry vision and that could affect your visual field and acuity. However, that's getting technical and you haven't been asked that. Don't get the DVLA on visual fields as that's an area of confusion and frustration.

[Silky57]

I reported my AFib to both. It was just a formality and affected neither my right to drive nor my car policy.

The DVLA responded to my online submission within a few working days just saying it’s be added to my records, no further action required. What they are primarily interested in I think is the question on the form which says “Have you been told by a doctor not to drive”. Similarly, my car insurer added a note via a simple phonecall. They were only interested in if I’d also informed the DVLA & if the latter were happy. No change to policy or further action required.

The DVLA website is as clear as mud but I took the view better safe than sorry - the risk of my insurance being invalid was too great.

[7473]

Mick473 ,diagnosed with A Fib june21, told to notify DVLA or medicswould. Initially told to stop driving. In Aug my licence was revoked until April 22 when I 're applied for my licence. This was returned in May 22 with confirmation that I had heart disease and if coronary problems developed there were some short restrictions on my licence. Insurance notified as well. New insurance costs a bomb.!